Banknote cassette with foldable handle

Abstract

A banknote cassette includes a generally rectangular casing for receiving and storing banknotes in a stacked manner. The case includes a foldable handle, movable from a storage position to a locked operating position with the handle maintaining the locked operating position. In a preferred aspect, the foldable handle includes two opposed handle segments which cooperate with each other during movement of the handle segments from the storage position to the operating position.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:  
     
       1. A banknote cassette for storing of banknotes in a stacked manner, said cassette comprising a generally rectangular case having a slot through which banknotes are received and stacked interior to said case, said case including a foldable handle secured to a face of said rectangular case, said foldable handle being movable from a storage position generally parallel to said face to a lockable operating position with said handle generally perpendicular to said face; said foldable handle includes a spring bias arrangement urging said handle to said storage position and wherein said handle in said operating position cooperates with said cassette to lock said handle and maintain said handle in said locked position and includes a release arrangement to release said handle from said locked position and move under said spring bias arrangement to said storage position. 
     
     
       2. A banknote cassette for storing of banknotes in a stacked manner, said cassette comprising a generally rectangular case having a slot through which banknotes are received and stacked interior to said case, said case including a foldable handle secured to a face of said rectangular case, said foldable handle being movable from a storage position generally parallel to said face to a lockable operating position with said handle generally perpendicular to said face; and wherein said handle includes two opposed handle segments with each segment including a gear portion and said gear portions are in mesh such that movement of one handle segment between said storage and operative position causes a corresponding movement of the other handle segment. 
     
     
       3. A banknote cassette as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said handle segments are identical. 
     
     
       4. A banknote cassette as claimed in  claim 3  wherein each handle segment is U shaped and attached to said face at opposite ends of each segment. 
     
     
       5. A banknote cassette as claimed in  claim 2  wherein each handle segment includes a projecting releasable locking tab and a locking recess located such that the projecting locking tab of one handle segment is received in the locking recess of the other handle segment when said handle segments are moved to said operating position. 
     
     
       6. A banknote cassette as claimed in  claim 5  wherein said handle segments are an injected molded plastic handle segment which is pivotally secured to said face at opposite ends of said handle segment. 
     
     
       7. A banknote cassette as claimed in  claim 6  wherein each handle segment includes fixed gear members at opposite ends of the handle segment which mesh with corresponding gears of the opposed handle segment.